Opposition Check: Fortuna Düsseldorf

The origin of this crest cannot be traced back to a single moment or a specific decision. In the club’s early years, a uniform appearance played a subordinate role; fixed design guidelines did not exist. Only through old photographs, documents, and reports could it gradually be reconstructed how the current Fortuna Düsseldorf logo developed.

The distinctive lettering with the red „F“ and the number „95“ was first demonstrably seen on a jersey in the late 1920s. Over time, it established itself as the unmistakable identifying mark of Fortuna Düsseldorf. The „F“ stands – in keeping with the motto of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn – for the four virtues of „fresh, pious, cheerful, and free.“ The year 1895 refers to the original founding club, Turnverein Flingern 1895. The combination of the four „F“s and the year eventually gave rise to the abbreviation „F95,“ which is still used today. Despite minor design changes, the basic form of the crest has always remained the same – simple, concise, and closely linked to the club colours of red and white.

Present day. Fortuna Düsseldorf currently sit in twelfth place with 25 points and will travel to the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor next Saturday (February 21st/1pm). Reason enough for us to take a closer look at our weekend opponent in our opponent check.

Interestingly, Markus Anfang was head coach of Darmstadt 98 for over a season in 2020/21.

Fortuna Düsseldorf has been one of the most defensively sound teams in the league so far this year. The Rhinelanders have conceded just four goals since the New Year – the best record in the league for this period. Looking at the entire season: Measured against their opponents‘ expected goals (34.71), Düsseldorf has conceded fewer goals than statistically expected (31). In terms of clear-cut chances conceded, Fortuna is among the top teams: Only SC Paderborn (16) has allowed fewer than Düsseldorf (23).

He feels almost as comfortable in front of the camera as he does between the posts – at least in his imagination. Florian Kastenmeier, Düsseldorf’s reliable goalkeeper with over 200 appearances for Fortuna, dreams of one day appearing in his favourite soap opera, „Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten“ (Good Times, Bad Times). As he revealed on the club’s podcast „Rot & Schweiß“ (Red & Sweat), watching an episode of the RTL soap opera is one of his pre-match rituals. „I’d really love to manage the local business,“ Kastenmeier says – but so far, it’s remained just a dream. He’s friends with GZSZ actor Lars Pape, but until a role might eventually come his way, football takes centre stage.

Born on June 28, 1997, in Regensburg, Kastenmeier began his football career in the youth ranks at SC Sinzing and subsequently at SSV Jahn Regensburg, before progressing to senior football via SV Burgweinting and the youth teams of FC Augsburg. He gained his first experience at a higher level with Augsburg’s reserve teams and later at VfB Stuttgart, where he further developed his skills under competitive conditions. His move to Fortuna Düsseldorf in the summer of 2019 finally marked his breakthrough. Since then, Kastenmeier has been the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. In the 2025/26 season, he also officially took over the captain’s armband – a clear indication of his leadership qualities, consistency, and the trust placed in him by the team.

On the pitch, Kastenmeier is a true rock. Standing at 1.90 metres tall, with lightning-fast reflexes and an exceptionally calm demeanor under pressure, he provides security in the penalty area. He’s the kind of goalkeeper his teammates can always rely on – someone who exudes composure, instills confidence, and intervenes at the crucial moment. Off the pitch, he also displays his personality, whether through his sense of humor, his passion for the German soap opera „GZSZ,“ or his commitment to the team. Kastenmeier is a player who not only decides matches but also shapes the team atmosphere – a true leader between the posts and in the locker room.